Diel cycle in a farmland bird is shaped by contrasting predation and human pressures

Abstract In human-dominated landscapes, human disturbances may contrast (spatially and/or temporally) with risk imposed by non-human predators. However, how prey adjust behaviour to minimize from multiple threats remains unclear. Central-Western France, we investigated patterns of activity, space and habitat use, causes variations during the diel cycle grey partridge (captive-reared, released), a farmland bird facing risks (nocturnal predation, diurnal hunting pressure). We also influence individual relative risk-related features on fate birds. Birds adjusted their behaviours in ways consistent reduction nocturnal carnivores at night hunters daytime. recorded bimodal crepuscular likely explained commuting movements between spatially-separated sites composed different habitats: selection open terrains avoidance predator reservoirs vs. use high-vegetation cover observed differences surviving, hunted predated Predation activities act as contrasting pressures, selecting birds based spatial behaviour, which has shaped adjustments population level. An improved consideration temporal variation environmental pressures would help reliably address factors constraining populations, so increasing wildlife management efficiency.